Really needing some MCAT advice right now

[caitlinh_3]

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Thanks for clicking! I'll give you some quick background info on my situation.

I'm a Canadian Critical Care Registered Nurse, graduated 2 years ago from university with a 3.9 converted OMSAS GPA. I know Canadian med schools do things a bit differently than American, but I believe I'm a strong applicant here, if only I can survive the MCAT. Many Canadian med schools have little to no pre-reqs as they are trying to encourage diversity in their applicant pool. I have a strong background in biology/anatomy/physiology, am confident about the CARS section, and with some self-studying will be fine for the Behavioural Sciences section.

But I have very limited experience in everything else. I have done one semester of Gen Chem, Physics, and a combined Orgo/Biochem course for nursing school, and although I got A's in these courses, they were years ago now. I'm trying to self-study using Kaplan's books but move through these sections SO SLOWLY because I feel like I'm starting from scratch. I'm not one to give up easily but, after months trying, I don't think I can teach this all to myself. I keep telling myself I'm writing in June or July of this year.

I work full-time and have been avoiding dishing out the money for the courses, especially since I'd probably have to quit my job, and I'm not even sure a course would help as I feel I need one-on-one teaching. I've found a couple local MCAT tutors, but they charge $200/hr. And I'm gonna need a lot of hours.

Are there any students on here that offer Skype tutoring, or are there are other tips that you seasoned science-learners can offer me? If I was going to pay for a course, which options would be best for someone starting essentially from zero in these sections? Is it even possible?


Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. I'm heading towards panic-mode.


C.

 

[mikil100]

So you want to apply to US medical schools is my guess? If that is the case you will need the classes in any case, and you should definitely take them before even studying for the MCAT.


If you're not, I would buy TBR and use those as your main content review, and then any other books for supplement.

 

[caitlinh_3]

Sorry, to clarify, I'm only applying to Canadian schools.

 

[URMD]

The good thing about Canada is they they don't weight MCAT as highly as in america. Sure, having a high score helps, but for most schools as long as you have higher than a 10 in all sections (xcept for mcmaster, and western if your not from southern ontario) then consider yourself good

with a 3.9 OMSAS GPA you must be very smart, but even then to do well on the MCAT you need alot of time. IMO it is very hard to study for MCAT properly while maintaining a full time nursing job. Heck, some of my friends couldn't even cut it with a part time job! I took my whole summer to study, and treated it like a full-time job, 9-5 studying, lunch breaks, weekends off, etc.

I think that the reason why its going so slow for you is 1. its been a long time since you tackled those courses and 2. you don't have much time to study between your job and studying time so sections are taking you ALOT longer than normal.

If I was in your situation I would either move the test date back so that I have like 6-8 months to study while still doing my job (con is your studying for a long time and have to retain information you learn for 6-8 months before you take the test) or I would try and cut back my hours/suspend the job so I can spend more time on studying (con is may be hard to get back into the nursing job if you quit, though everyone needs nurses in Canada!)

For your position, if you were going to take a course I would suggest princetonreview

my 2c.